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Post by rosamburg on Jan 21, 2011 12:44:23 GMT -5
I needed to take a break from forums. When I came back I was disappointed to see that despite a serious commitment and effort on the part of Vadim, this forum has not been very active. I have a few thoughts on how members could help to turn this around.
1. Let the past go. If we have had differences with other Dobermann folks we could each as individuals make a conscious decision to forgive any past grievances we have had with others. Anyone who has any passion about dogs, Dobermann's and protection sports can get overly passionate at times and react to things that are said. I know I have said some stupid shit in the past. Unfortunately some times the time ran out before I recognized this and could hit a modify button. I propose an amnesty from our past petty bs and differences we may have had. Give others the benefit of a doubt.
2. Each board member could commit to posting one or two threads each and every week. I am sure we could each have an original thought, idea, experience or question, to post and share with others.
3. Each board member could commit to at least attempting to make a minimum of 1 or 2 posts a day (or 5-10 per week).
4. Be respectful to others. We can adamantly disagree without being disagreeable. There is no excuse for rudeness and it just drives people away. There were a number of reasons I stayed off the forums for a while. The biggest reason was it consumed me to the point where it interfered with my family time and the time I could have spent training. That said, part of the reason was the conflict that would come up. Some of that I contributed to as well, and when I did felt pretty uncomfortable with it.
5. Keep in mind that it takes time to turn things around. To be successful we need to make the above commitment and keeping it. Keep in mind it is about achieving an AD title and not an escape bite. It is about achieving an FH not a laying a puppy track. It will take time to make this forum into what it really could be.
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Post by Vadim on Jan 21, 2011 20:03:26 GMT -5
Here Here Steve! Just let me know what I can do to help! Welcome back old friend  |
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Post by rosamburg on Jan 22, 2011 11:00:46 GMT -5
I don't know Vadim. You have put forth so much effort to get this site back up and running and since then continued to put forth herculean efforts to make it active that nobody could ask any more of you. I think it is up to each and every member who values the forum and the site to contribute in a small way. I think this is what it will take.
I also noticed that Kara sent out a facebook effort yesterday. That can certainly help. Perhaps individuals could email others who have been active and attempt to attract them. I talked to John Kowalczyk yesterday about getting active.
I think to let bygones be bygones and a renewed effort for civility and respect along with a commitment to participate by the number of board members who log on here,even at what at the start may seem to be a token effort is what it will take to make it more active.
Some of the negativity needs to be turned somehow. Perhaps the role of moderators can be used in a more positive way to prevent such doings. PM's to those who play a role, perhaps to try and mediate solutions, when it has the potential to turn really ugly and damaging.
I almost posted some real examples of things that have occurred, but feel that the mood needs to be positive and not to overly dwell on issues from the past.
I would like to put a person or two on front street:
Elaine Galonska-Brown... You are the most knowledgeable person I have ever met or talked to regarding the Dobermann breed. Your insight and awareness is extremely valuable. I hope that you will come back here and contribute in some way.
John Kowalczyk... thank you for everything you have done for the breed. I know you may have been frustrated by the responses from people, but others do need your insight into what the Dobermann breed should be.
Mark Gomersall... You are a fantastic helper. You are the rare person in Schutzhund who is an outstanding trial and teaching helper. I am grateful that you have volunteered to do Dobermann events, even though you are not involved in the breed. The work and level of pressure that you bring is what is needed in any kind of test of the temperament of our dogs. Even though you have not been involved in owning the Dobermann breed for a number of years your knowledge of our breed is valuable to us that do own and handle them.
There are many more people who contribute a lot to the breed, but these I pointed out are a few that have fielded some negativity and I feel need to be recognized.
Vadim..you are absolutely awesome. Keep up the good work.
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Post by Jag on Jan 22, 2011 14:01:06 GMT -5
here's the new working dobermann page... I started a new one because the old one was a pain in the ass... it was a group not a "page"... please join it! there are places where you can announce litters, rescues, adults for sale... and tons of events that I update weekly! I made Vadim, Wendy, and Tamara administrators on there. i don't know if they know yet haha. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Working-Dobermann/103648843044510?ref=ts |
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Post by Jag on Jan 22, 2011 14:02:32 GMT -5
p.s. i think a lot of people are scared to take part in discussions because they don't want to start a fight and/or be ridiculed for opinions. especially if you're a breeder. JMO.
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Post by rosamburg on Jan 23, 2011 13:46:23 GMT -5
p.s. i think a lot of people are scared to take part in discussions because they don't want to start a fight and/or be ridiculed for opinions. especially if you're a breeder. JMO. Or because they have already been bit. That is why I put in the part about rudeness, disagree without being disagreeable, being more positive, etc. Also letting bygones be bygones. |
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Post by dobebob on Jan 25, 2011 23:00:29 GMT -5
Personally, I stopped even visiting the forum on a regular basis because I got fed up listening to the same old, same old "the Dobermann is ruined, there are no good Dobermanns left" crap that a few non Dobermann owners kept spewing on here.
I see lots of "shit" GSDs, and equally poor Malinois, but I don't visit their forums and call down their dogs, nor do I usually even mention it here.
Unfortunately the forum owner in his zeal to be "fair" allowed the same non Dobermann owners to start up this B.S., and the let it go on over and over and over again.
IMHO they insulted all of those breeders on here who were attempting to breed to a higher standard, in an attempt to improve the breed.
On a more constructive note:
I find the present format a bit less "friendly" than the previous one. Yes, I know it lets topics be "compartmentalized," but at the same time it makes it a bit more tedious to keep up with everything.
Perhaps there is a feature that lets one "subscribe" to all posts, by sending a message to their regular e-mail indocating a new post has been placed- but if there is I'm not aware of it- perhaps my own ignorance, and laziness to search?
That feature might encourage more participation.
...That and keeping those people off the forum who only come here to "stir up" the same old "Dobermanns are crap" line.
BTW- I AM gratefull to Vadim for providing this forum for us- i just wish he'd had the foresight to see the potential damage being done by a couple of "malcontents."
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Post by rosamburg on Jan 26, 2011 1:24:07 GMT -5
Good to see you on here Bob. I agree with a lot of what you are saying.. It always kind of amazed me to see people who used to be into Dobermann's now completely bash the breed and breeders, when they abandoned the breed. If I were to move to a different breed it would be due to the health issues. If I ever made that break it would be moving on and not to stir up a bunch of shit.
I also agree that I have seen some pretty crappy GSD's but actually there are not many Mali's in the circles I travel in. Actually the GSD's that I see are damn good, but then again shitters don't last long, they get re-homed to pet owners.
I also kind of wonder about all the posts of how dogs of bygone times were. I don't see much that completely blows me away, as compared to some good dogs that are currently being produced. I also find it hard to get beyond how almost laughable a lot of the training was.
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Post by dobebob on Jan 26, 2011 12:44:10 GMT -5
Re "old style training"- Yes, it's a miracle some dogs survived, much less accomplished anything............. LOL
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paul
Puppy
Posts: 11
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Post by paul on Feb 5, 2011 19:11:05 GMT -5
We must treat every one else as equal, we are all in this together for the Breed. This should be a Forum of equal people with a common goal, not a competition for who can out do the other first.
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